Start wearing blue and yellow: punk rock band Gogol Bordello will play Saturday April 22 at the Hard Rock Heals Ukraine Relief Fund Gala, at Seminole Hard Hock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The non-profit organization’s benefit will raise money for children and families impacted by the war in Ukraine.
Though Gogol Bordello was formed in New York, frontman Eugene Hutz was born in Ukraine and grew up on the outskirts of Kyiv before immigrating to the United States when he was 16. He has also organized other fundraising events, with his band and other musicians, in support of his home country.
Since the war began in February 2022, Hutz and Gogol Bordello have intertwined the Ukrainian cause into their music and performances.
Hutz recently spoke with the Ukrainian Institute of London, where he said, “This is a pretty serious trait of Ukrainians: resilience and that whole turning frustration into inspiration, and anger into energy and defiance and resistance.
"It's a fight of people for their own destiny. Ukrainians are very good at that."
Hutz also commented on the aim of Solidaritine, the band’s latest album. "Solidaritine is the substance that unlocks our empathy and our full human potential… May this be your punky uplift for our packed with troubled times."
The Gogol Bordello band mission statement says the group uses "gypsy, cabaret and punk traditions" and the tools of "music theater, chaos and sorcery."
The gala dinner and performance will be held in the Seminole Ballroom, with a ticket price of $250 that also includes an open bar and other entertainment. In addition to the performance by Gogol Bordello, Ukranian World Champion Heavyweight Boxer, Wladimir Klitschko, will host the event.
